In the semifinals of Division III Central Coast Section football playoffs, the Palo Alto High School Vikings (6-6) lost to the Aptos Mariners (7-5), 49-35, ending the Vikings’ playoff run and season.
Viking head coach David DeGeronimo said the Vikings prepared thoroughly but still lost the game.
“The preparation was there, and the effort was there,” DeGeronimo said. “It’s just, I know the penalties tonight killed us.”
According to Aptos head coach Zach Hewett, the reason for his team’s success was its offense.
“Palo Alto, that’s a good team right there,” Hewett said. “Our offense controlled the pace of this game and got us a lead that we could defend.”
The first quarter started with strong running plays from the Vikings, followed by a long pass from sophomore quarterback Justin Fung to senior wide receiver Jeremiah Fung, bringing the Vikings to the two-yard line. A rush to the end zone by senior running back Joseph Kessler gave the Vikings an early 7-0 lead. The Mariners responded with six consecutive running plays, tying the score at 7-7. Mariner sophomore free safety Elijah Lopez recovered a Viking fumble, which Aptos quickly converted into a touchdown with a 52-yard rushing touchdown.
According to Hewett, the turn in the tides was due to the Mariners’ ability to stop the Vikings on the offensive end.
“We struggled until we managed to put together enough of a lead to where we could force them to throw the ball,” Hewett said “It [the comeback] really shows just how well we can limit Palo Alto’s success on offense.”
With seconds left in the first quarter, Viking senior running back Isaiah Phillips slipped past Mariner defenders, scoring a 48-yard running touchdown, ending the first quarter, 14-14.
The second quarter started with the Vikings playing lights-out defense. Fung threw a 64-yard-long pass to junior wide receiver and cornerback Jake Wang, securing another touchdown for the Vikings.
Wang said he owes his touchdown to his teammates.
“I was able to make some plays and credit to all the offensive linemen and all the other skilled players around me because they really made my job a lot easier,” Wang said.
However, defensive pressure from the Mariners after a fumbled snap from the Vikings forced a bad pass, leading to an interception. The first half ended 21-28 in the Mariners’ favor.
Reflecting on their performance, Mariner senior Casey Macconnell highlighted the team’s balanced performance.
“We were doing pretty well defensively and the offense really stepped up to the level of the defense,” Macconnell said.
At the start of the second half, Mariner senior Owen Warmerdam broke past Viking defenders off the kickoff, running for a touchdown. Starting from the half, two consecutive passes from Justin Fung scored another touchdown for the Vikings. However, Viking’s defense struggled to hold off the Mariners, who scored two more touchdowns, ending the third quarter 27-42.
Both sides played strong defense in the fourth quarter, allowing neither side to gain a significant advantage. Another long pass from Justin Fung to Jeremiah Fung brought the Vikings to the 4-yard line, setting up Viking junior outside line defense and tight end Malcolm Phillips with an end zone catch.
According to Phillips, his touchdown was a team effort.
“I just watched the ball and my hands making sure that I secured it,” Phillips said. “I really thought to do my assignment, my brothers will have my back, and we’ll have a good game that way.”
As the curtain closes on the Vikings’ season, emotions run high. According to Wang, through football, his bond with his teammates could not be stronger.
“I’m so proud of all of them [teammates] and all the relationships I built,” Wang said. “It’s a special thing.”
